Sources

Of
Inspiration
DR. NEERU JAIN
Associate professor
Head dept of Jewellery Designing
 INTRODUCTION
Inspiration is the act or power of exercising an elevating or
stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of
such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the inspiration of
occasion, of art, etc.
Designers often find their richest sources of inspiration through
their experiences with nature, religion, art, literature, music and
dreams. So whenever we design any piece of jewellery we need
some inspiration that comes in mind through some sources. Design
is highly influenced by source of inspiration.
What we see, feel, hear greatly influences our creativity &
expression. By and large, the visual information obtained
influences a design the most.
These major design sources are around us in abundance which
can inspire one self to design jewellery:
 Types Of Sources Of Inspiration

Man-made Historical

Natural Themes $ concepts Symbolic

NATURAL SOURCES
These includes all God gifted nature,
varieties of flora, fauna, insects, birds,
animals, shells, trees & other forms of
life.
One can either duplicate or create
abstracts. Abstraction consists of using
part and piece of original forms and
combining forms or altering them to
create a new form.
Nature is an endless ocean of ideas.
Observation & expression influenced by
nature can result in interesting new
forms & ideas.
 NATURAL SOURCES
Natural sources are widely used in entire world. An expertly
crafted piece of jewellery can capture forever the life-like
qualities of an animal on the run, a bird in flight, blooming
flowers, butterflies, insects or fish. Such jewellery remains a
perennial favourite, never seeming to go out of style .
NATURAL SOURCES
MAN-MADE SOURCES

These are innumerable things created by

man. Drawing can be done by using ideas
or motif from different kinds of fabrics,
utensils, building, machinery, instruments
etc.
Working with these ideas or motifs
gives you different experiences, a chance
to discover something new through
permutations & combinations Man made
sources.
HISTORIC SOURCES
These are found from museums, historical
monuments, libraries, sculptures, vases,
calligraphy painting and ancient jewellery &
other artefacts.
History has witnessed magnificent art
periods like Medieval, Egyptian, Baroque, Art
Nouvean, Art Deco, etc that are rich in
expression & inspiration.
Fusion of conservative & contemporary
ideas & re-interpretation of ancient art forms
can give birth to a new & original style. All
the recent Creativity is the blend of ancient
with modern ideas.
SYMBOLIC SOURCES
These includes emblems, religious symbols, Zodiac signs,
organisational signs & symbols, occupational symbols,
monograms & logos, alphabets or geometric symbols,
cartoons, etc. These are good source of design &
inspiration.
The combination & use of different shapes & styles
help us visualize new combination and composition.
THEMES AND CONCEPTS
If a designer thinks with an open mind he can realise a deep
concept or theme in every art form and the same way he
can incorporate & express a variety of themes in his
jewellery designs for instance nature, politics, social,
religious, etc.
Magazines, Catalogues, Books, Photographs, visits to
jewellery stores, exhibitions are some other useful sources
of information & inspiration but it is important to
maintain your own style.
Theme: Nature
 CULTURE AND TRIBES
Tribal jewellery in India is quite
rich. Each tribe has kept its
unique style of jewellery intact
even now.

The unrefined look of their

jewellery is something that
attracts people most.

we can make huge collection of

earrings, bracelets, bangles,
amulets, anklets, hairpins and
necklaces using cultural jewellery
as our inspiration.
 Thorns & Feathers Theme
Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the
distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds and some
non-aviant heropod dinosaurs. They are considered the
most complex  structures found in vertebrates, and indeed
a premier example of a complex evolutionary novelty.
They are among the characteristics that distinguish the
extant Aves from other living groups. Feathers have also
been noticed in those Theropoda which have been
termed feathered dinosaurs.
Although feathers cover most parts of the body of birds,
they arise only from certain well-defined tracts on the
skin. They aid in flight, thermal insulation, waterproofing,
and coloration that helps in communication 
 Thorns & Feathers Theme
thorns, spines, prickles, and in general spinose structures are
all hard structures with sharp, stiff, ends, generally with the
same function of physically deterring animals from eating the
plant material.
In common language the terms are used more or less
interchangeably, but in botanical terms, thorns are derived
from shoots ,spines are derived from leaves(the entire leaf or
some part of the leaf that has vascular bundles inside, like
thepetiole or a stipule),and prickles are derived from
the epidermis (so they can be found anywhere on the plant,
and don't have vascular bundles inside so they can be
removed more easily and cleanly than thorns and spines
ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY

From bracelets shaped like

cathedrals to collars modelled on
aqueducts, a jewellery designer has
unveiled an over-the-top accessories
line based on classical architecture.
Design elements to like windows,
staircases, brickwork, curtains and
archways can also be taken and
converted into beautiful jewellery
designs.
 Sports Theme
Sport (or sports) is all forms of usually competitive physical
activity which through casual or organised participation,
aim to use, maintain or improve physical ability and skills
while providing entertainment to participants, and in some
cases, spectators. 
Hundreds of sports exist, from those requiring only two
participants, through to those with hundreds of
simultaneous participants, either in teams or competing as
individuals.
Sport is generally recognised as activities which are
based in physical athleticism or physical dexterity, with the
largest major competitions such as the Olympic
Games admitting.
 only sports meeting this definition, and other
organisations such as the Council of Europe using
definitions precluding activities without a physical element
from classification as sports.
However, a number of competitive, but non-physical,
activities claim recognition as mind sports. The
International Olympic Committee (through ARISF)
recognises both chess and bridge as bona fidesports,
and SportAccord, the international sports federation
association, recognises five non-physical sports,]although
limits the amount of mind games which can be admitted as
sports.
 Wildlife Theme

Wildlife traditionally refers to non-

domesticated animal species, but has come to include
all plants, fungi and other organisms which grow or live wild
in an area without being introduced by humans.
Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human
benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a
major impact on the environment, both positive and negative.
Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems. Deserts, forests,
rain forests, plains, grasslands, and other areas including the
most developed urban sites, all have distinct forms of
wildlife. While the term in popular culture usually refers to
animals that are untouched by human factors, most scientists
agree that wildlife around is affected by human activities.
 Humans have historically tended to separate civilization
from wildlife in a number of ways including the legal, social,
and moral sense. Some animals, however, have adapted to
suburban environments. This includes such animals as
domesticated cats, dogs, mice, and gerbils. Religions have
often declared certain animals to be sacred, and in modern
times concern for the natural environment has provoked
activists to protest the exploitation of wildlife for human
benefit or entertainment.
 Dragons Theme
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically
with serpentine or reptilian traits, that features in
the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural
traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from
European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek
and Middle Eastern mythologies, and the Chinese dragon,
with counterparts in Japan (namely the Japanese dragon),
Korea and other East Asian countries.
The two traditions may have evolved separately, but
have influenced each other to a certain extent, particularly
with the cross-cultural contact of recent centuries. The
English word "dragon" derives from Greek , "dragon,
serpent of huge size, water-snake“.
 Dragons Theme
A dragon is a mythological representation of a reptile. In
antiquity, dragons were mostly envisaged as serpents, but
since the Middle Ages, it has become common to depict
them with legs, resembling a lizard.
SYMBOLS AND CALLIGRAPHY

Jewellery inspiration- Words and

also symbols are one way in how we
express ourselves. Clothes, art,
music and jewellery are methods of
expression.

Many people like to make

statements about themselves or to
each other. This is why language,
words and symbols provide great
ideas and inspiration for jewellery .
 TECHNOLOGY
With so many technological
advancements coupled with the fact
that there have been just as many
miniaturised inventions, it’s not at
all surprising that we would want to
continue to package tech in a more
portable and convenient form.

One of the more extreme ways

would be through technology-
inspired jewellery.
 ART

Art adds a touch of class to

anything ; be it jewellery, for
every occasion, jewellery
inspired by paintings and art is
exquisite and classy.

It is the most creative and

mesmerising form of design.
 MOVIES

Drama, romance, history, song and

dance. Gemstones, diamonds and
precious metals all come together to
sing a rhapsody that's a fitting
Cinema.

Cinema inspired jewellery is lively

and romantic.
 Printed Literature

Lovers of literature rarely remain

mum on their favourite reads,
instead they speak to anyone and
everyone about their current book
of choice.

These amazing and creative

pieces of jewellery can help them
book lovers to show the world their
greatest passion even when they’re
too engrossed in a book to discuss it.
 FRUITS

Food is sometimes a great source

of inspiration to designers. Fruit
jewellery make great brooches
and pendants.

It is probably the most

colourful jewellery made.
 ANATOMY
Anatomy-inspired jewellery is on-
trend this season.

The following concept is unique

and different from any other type
of jewellery.

Anatomy inspired jewellery

shows the level of creativity of a
designer who can take anything
and covert it into wearable
jewellery.
 GEOMETRIC SHAPES

Circles, squares and other

geometrical shapes are the oldest
forms of figures .

Jewellery made of shapes is

different and eye appealing .

It can range from everyday

wearable jewellery to heavy
neckpieces.
 Ocean Theme
An ocean is a large area of salt water
between continents. Oceans are very
big and they join
smaller seas together. Together, the
oceans are like one "ocean", because
all the "oceans" are joined. Oceans (or
marine biomes) cover 70% of our
planet. The largest ocean is the Pacific
Ocean. It covers 1/3 (one third) of the
Earth's surface.
The smallest ocean is the Arctic
Ocean. Different water movements
separate the Southern Ocean from
the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian
Oceans.
 Ocean Theme
The Southern ocean is also called the Antarctic Ocean,
because it covers the area around Antarctica. Older maps
may not use the names Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean.
The deepest ocean is the Pacific ocean. The deepest
point is the Mariana Trench, being about 11,000 metres
(36,200 feet) deep. The deep ocean is characterized by cold
temperatures, high pressure, and complete darkness. Some
very unusual organisms live in this part of the ocean. They
do not require energy from the sun to survive, because
they use chemicals from deep inside the Earth
(see hydrothermal vent).
 Love Theme
Love is a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that
ranges from interpersonal affection ("I love my mother") to
pleasure ("I loved that meal"). It can refer to an emotio of a
strong attraction and personal attachment. 
It can also be a virtue representing
human kindness, compassion, and affection—"the unselfish
loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another".It may
also describe compassionate and affectionate actions towards
other humans, one's self or animals.
Ancient Greeks identified four forms of love: kinship
or familiarity (in Greek, storge), friendship (philia), sexual
and/or romantic desire, and self-emptying or divine love
(agape). 
 Love Theme
Modern authors have distinguished further varieties of
romantic love. Non-Western traditions have also
distinguished variant or symbioses of these states This
diversity of uses and meanings combined with the
complexity of the feelings involved makes love unusually
difficult to consistently define, compared to other emotional
states.
Love in its various forms acts as a major facilitator
of interpersonal relationships and, owing to its central
psychological importance, is one of the most common
themes in the creative arts
 Forest Theme
forests (also referred to as a wood or the woods) are
communities of living organisms characterized by the
presence of trees that have symbiotic relationships with
each other and the physical environment.
The trees of a forest constitute the larger part of
their biomass. Different cultures have varying definitions
of what a forest may be, in terms of size and of what the
forest is composed . 
A forest is usually an area filled with trees, but any tall
densely packed area of vegetation may be considered a
forest, even underwater vegetation such as kelp forests, or
non-vegetation such as fungi and bacteria.
 Forest Theme
Tree forests cover approximately 9.4% of the Earth's
surface (30 percent of Earth's total land area); in pre-
industrial times they'd covered around 15.6% (around 50
percent of total land area). They function as habitats for
organisms, hydrologic flow modulators and soil conservers,
constituting one of the most important aspects of
the biosphere
A typical forest is composed of the overstory (canopy or
upper tree layer) and the understory. The understory is
further subdivided into a shrub layer, herb layer, and moss
layer, and also soil microbes. In some complex forests,
there is also a well-defined lower tree layer
 Zombies Theme

Zombies featured widely in Haitian rural folklore, as dead

persons physically revived by the act of necromancy of
a bokor sorcerer (the bokor is a witch-like figure to be
distinguished from the houngan priests
and mambo priestesses of the formal Vodou religion).

Zombies remain under the control of the bokor as their

personal slaves, since they have no will of their own.

There also exists within the Haitian tradition, an

incorporeal type of zombie, the "zombie astral", which is a
part of the human soul that is captured by a bokor and used
to enhance the bokor's spiritual power.
 Zombies Theme
Bokors produce and sell specially-decorated bottles to
clients with a zombie astral inside, for the purposes of luck,
healing or business success.
It is believed that after a time God will take the soul back
and so the zombie is a temporary spiritual entity.
 THE
END !